Pandemic Response and Religion in the United States represents an initial archiving of online materials related to religion and the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. Materials are organized by thematic category and can be searched by keywords. This database will encourage further research into religion and pandemic response. We hope that such research will in turn serve to guide policy decisions by religious organizations and governments. It will also serve as a foundation for teaching about religion and health, disaster response, and other key issues at the high school and college levels. This project was made possible by a WMU Meader Presidential Endowment Covid19 Response Grant. The project’s principle investigator (PI) is Dr. Stephen Covell and the co-PI is Dr. Diane Riggs. Data was collected by the following graduate students in the Department of Comparative Religion: Cameron Borg, Gerald Brooks, Jarrett Stalinger and Emily Warren.

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Submissions from 2020

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Concern Rising Over Mikveh use Amid Coronavirus Epidemic, Jeremy Sharon

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‘Where do we draw the line?’ Some California church leaders question order Barring Indoor Worship, Andrew Sheeler

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‘Where Do We Draw the Line?’ Some California Church Leaders Question Order Barring Indoor Worship, Andrew Sheeler

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Willow Creek, Life Church Among Churches that Received Millions in PPP Loans, Yonat Shimron

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Religious Ideals Shaped the Broken U.S. Prison System. Can they also fix it?, Betsy Shirley

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17 FAQs for Houses of Worship Considering Reopening Amid the Coronavirus Crisis, Maggie Siddiqi, Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, Maura Calsyn, Thomas Waldrop, and Samantha Behar

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Religious Exemptions During the Coronavirus Pandemic Will Only Worsen the Crisis, Maggie Siddiqi, Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, and Eva Gonzalez

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Religion, Siddsg

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When it Comes to Reopening Churches in the Pandemic, Supreme Court says Grace ain’t Groceries, Ross D. Silverman and The Conversation

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Most White Evangelicals Satisfied with Trump’s Initial Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak, Gregory A. Smith

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Congregations, Other Faith Groups Receive Millions in Federal Aid, Peter Smith

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Passover, Covid-19 and the Dangers of Inhumane Healthcare, Jon Sommer and The Jewish News of Northern California

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Trump Cabinet's Bible Teacher Says Gays Cause 'God's Wrath' in COVID-19 Blog Post, Brooke Sopelsa

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$15,000 Fine After Secret Hasidic Wedding Draws Thousands of Guests, Laim Stack

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Muslim Prayer Continues Amid Coronavirus Pandemic as CT Mosques Reopen, Ed Stannard

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GUIDANCE FOR PLACES OF WORSHIP, State of Arizona

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Coronavirus Outbreak Closes Church in Universal City that Once Again Allowed Hugging, Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje

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GOP Activist DeAnna Lorraine: ‘God does not want us wearing masks’, Michael Stone

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Texas: Religious schools can ignore local health officials on the coronavirus, Valerie Strauss

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Student Religious Liberty Bill Passes Senate, Heads Back to House with COVID-19 Amendments, Susan Tebben

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Everything We Know About the Eastern Oregon Church at the Center of State’s Largest Coronavirus Outbreak, Celina Tebor

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For World's Largest Muslim Country, a Virus-Disrupted and Bittersweet Eid, Angie Teo and Agustinus Beo Da Costa

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Should Mosques Remain Open for Congregational Prayer? Countering a Poor Fatwa, The Abrahamic Overview- With Mohammed Nizami

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How Faith Shapes Feelings About the Coronavirus Outbreak, The Associated Press-NORC Center gor Public Affairs Research

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Amid Pandemic, Christians Celebrate an Easter like No Other, The Associated Press and WTOP News

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Freedom of Religion at Stake in the Context of Fighting Against Covid-19, The Catholic Church in the European Union (COMECE)

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Guidance for Gathering Together in Houses of Worship, The Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives-Tennessee

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Reasonable Restrictions do not Resemble Religious Persecution, The Rhode Island Catholic

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Covid-19: Trump invites Hindu priest to chant ‘Shanti Path’ for safety of all at White House, The Tribune

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The Religious Dimension of Iraq’s Coronavirus Response, The Washington Institute and Raed Ahmed

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COVID-19: Indian pilgrims will not travel to Saudi Arabia for Haj 2020, Says Naqvi, The Wire Staff

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COVID-19 Relief and Recovery: A strong, multi-dimensional safety net is needed, Katie Thompson and Berkley Center-Georgetown University

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France’s Data Collection Rules Obscure the Racial Disparities of Covid-19, Annabelle Timsit

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Midwest: Coronavirus-Related restrictions by state, Rachel Treisman

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Many Suburban Places of Worship will Remain Closed Despite Lifting of Crowd Limits, John Tuohy

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Religious Freedom in the Time of COVID-19, Asma T. Uddin

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THE POLITICS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – COVID-19 EDITION, Asma T. Uddin

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In Modi's India, Virus Fallout Inflames Divisions Between Muslims and Hindus, Alexandra Ulmer and Shipla Jamkhandikar

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Closing Mosques – Islamic Justifications for Coronavirus Lockdowns, Sajid Umar and Islam 21C

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Launch of Global Multi-Religious Faith-in-Action Covid-19 Initiative: Faith and positive change for children, families and communities, UNICEF and Religions For Peace

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USCIRF Troubled by Denial of Food Aid to Pakistani Hindus and Christians, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

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UChicago Divinity School/ AP-NORC Poll: Few feel restrictions on in-person worship violate freedom of religion, University of Chicago-Divinity School and The Associated Press- NORC Center for Public Affairs Research

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Most States Have Religious Exemptions to COVID-19 Social Distancing Rules, Virginia Villa

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NY Loosens Restrictions on Houses of Worship in Phase II of Reopening, Marina Villeneuve

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NYC Mayor To Synagogues: Close for Coronavirus or be shut down permanently, Vos Iz Neias?

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Latter-day Saint Apostle Days pandemic is a ‘Wake-up Call’ About the Fragility of Religious Freedom, Ted Walch

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Diocese of Grand Rapids; Office of the Bishop Newsletter, David Walkowiak

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COVID-19 Response and Recommendations, David Walkowiak and Diocese of Grand Rapids

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California Churches Sue Newsom Over Coronavirus Stay-at-home Order, Danielle Wallace

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Whitmer Exempts Michigan Churches from Penalties for 50+ Gatherings, Niraj Warikoo

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Los Angelos County Reverses Bam on Indoor Religious Services After Supreme Court Decision, Marissa Wenzke

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COVID-19 Outbreak Confirmed in Greenbrier County Church, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

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Emergency Order Requires Funeral Homes, Doctors to Report COVID-19 Deaths More Quickly; Rapid notice can slow spread of Coronavirus, Bob Wheaton

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Executive Order 2020-11 (COVID-19) - Rescinded, Gretchen Whitmer

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Executive Order 2020-42 (COVID-19) - Rescinded, Gretchen Whitmer

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Illinois Ministry Sues Pritzker, Alleges ‘Hostility’ To Religion, Danny Wicentowski

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The Rightwing Christian Preachers in Deep Denial Over Covid-19's Danger, Jason Wilson

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Vatican Cardinal in Row Over Claim that Virus Hurts Religion, Nicole Winfield

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COVID-19's Effect on Religious Liberty: 'It Doesn't Disappear During Public Emergencies', Jennifer Wishon

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236 People Got the Coronavirus After an Oregon Church Held Services During Lockdown — more evidence that religious gatherings are superspreading hot spots, Aylin Woodward

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Church tied to Oregon's largest coronavirus outbreak, superspreading, Aylin Woodward

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Religion Can Help Tackle Covid, Meeting Told, Tim Wyatt

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In a Pandemic, Religion Can Be a Balm and a Risk, Vivian Yee

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In Pakistan's Fight Against Covid-19, Religion Might not be Helping, Huma Yusef

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Houses of Worship Included in Draft of White House’s Reopening Guidelines, Carol Zimmermann and America-The Jesuit Review

Submissions from 2016

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The Bill of Rights: What does it say?, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Submissions from 1789

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The Bill of Rights: A transcription, First Congress of the United States